On August 27, 2020, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a new public health proclamation for the counties of Black Hawk, Dallas, Johnson, Linn, Polk, and Story. This proclamation is in effect beginning at 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2020, until 11:59 p.m. on September 20, 2020:
Bars
All bars, taverns, wineries, breweries, distilleries, night clubs and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on their premises in Cedar Falls shall be closed to the general public. Carry-out, drive-through, and delivery of food or beverages are still permitted.
Bars located in hotels, casinos, movie theaters, or sporting venues must also close per this proclamation. However, consumption of alcohol on a casino floor and inside an individual theater is allowed as long as physical distancing is maintained and increased hygiene practices are implemented as called for in earlier proclamations. Alcohol consumption in a personal hotel room is allowable.
Restaurants
A restaurant, including a wedding reception venue or restaurants located at a winery, brewery, distillery, country club, private rental, or other social or fraternity club may remain open under the following requirements:
- The establishment must also prepare and serve food to all customers and the sale of alcoholic beverages must be no more than half of the establishment’s monthly revenues (the monthly revenue of a brewery, distillery or winery do not include the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premise or at other retail locations).
- The establishment must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining alone or booths must be separated by a barrier or of a sufficient height to fully separate seated customers. All patrons must have a seat at a table, booth, or bar and must consume their food and beverage while seated there.
- An establishment may only sell or serve alcohol for consumption on the premise from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday if such sales are authorized by the establishment’s license.
Restaurants must also implement reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees and customers, increased hygiene practices and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
To view the complete proclamation from Governor Reynolds, go to https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-the-state-public-health-emergency-7.
For more information on the virus, including local and national resources, visit www.cedarfalls.com/prepare.